Can soldiers in civilian clothes salute a fallen comrade memorial?

To salute a fallen comrade is to show your deepest respect in honoring that Soldier, for that Soldier paid the ultimate price to defend our flag and what we stand for as a nation. So, in my book that gesture is as good as regulation or law, in or out of uniform. SGM Garcia, Jimmy

Ab

I would say in this instance the sentiment is more important than the letter of the law. If a law or regulation exists specifically to prohibit it then I would give more concern over it. Say one did exist what is the worst cast scenario for an infraction. Someone recognizes you as an active duty member and sees you in civilian clothes rendering a salute as a sign or respect to a fallen military member and you get called into your Commanders office. If you had a commander punish you for showing respect off duty in civilian clothes, then I would hope that he throws the book at you because once it makes it to the news and internet, you are going to get a presidential pardon. Those are hard to come by.

As a school teacher and Marine Combat Veteran of The Gulf War - Somalia Era...Im faced with this issue everyday with the Pledge. I have students from all over the world in my class. I tell them at the start of each school year THAT THEY WILL AT THE VERY LEAST STAND IN SILENCE AND RESPECT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AS A BASIC COURTESY TO OUR COUNTRY [which is more than I can say for the majority of my fellow teachers that are either too lazy or indifferent to enforce this common courtesy]. MY REASONS: This is what they can expect of me when I'm a guest in their country....For my part I'll never judge or hold in contempt any Veteran who wants to salute...Regardless of any Act or Law. I'll do as my Commander in Chief does, hold my hand to my heart and say the pledge or sing the National Anthem, as this to me has greater meaning, reverence, and respect for The Fallen, My God, My Family, and this GREAT REPUBLIC...

S

We have to have a law for showing respect to our Flag, but different laws say someone can burn or otherwise disrespect it???

Delete this question.

As veterans, who better to render a heart felt salute to the memories of the one who came before us. The below article deals with veterans saluting the NATIONAL ATHEM, I don't see any issues carrying over to saluting fallen comrades. Never miss an opportunity to give your thanks to a veteran, it's a small token we can give on a personal level.

WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.
“The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.”
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year’s provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.
Traditionally, members of the nation’s veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization’s official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.

So my understanding a fire fighter in uniform who is a veteran can do the hand salute.